Tag: Words for Thirds

Ocean View Grange Spreads More than Dictionaries

Ocean View Grange is located in St George (Port Clyde), Maine

When Ocean View Master Larry Bailey reported on their successful Dictionary Day, even he may not have realized the full impact. He subsequently received an email from one of the teachers with an invitation to attend a “Community Meeting” at the school hosted by the third grade. One of the items on the agenda was a “quick thank you for your dictionary donations.”

Obviously, he went!

He was happy to report, “I admit I was genuinely impressed by what I saw and felt. The energy and excitement were palpable, the kids were clearly happy to be part of the program, and the teachers handled the huge crowd perfectly. The young speakers/announcers were great, the music was certainly upbeat and well done. I was especially taken with the videos some of the students filmed. They were classics and made me laugh…especially the one number one winner. Creative is an understatement for all of them.”

School District Superintendent Mike replied, in part, “…thanks again to the entire Grange for supporting our 3rd graders and school!  The students and teachers once again did a wonderful job running the community meeting.  It’s incredible to see the work our students and staff are doing, often in partnership with community organizations like the Grange!”

These partnerships can indeed be incredible. They connect our Granges with our schools and communities in powerful ways with results that make a difference. Check out the Words for Thirds Resource Page. There’s still time to set up a Dictionary Day for a school near you during Grange Month (April), but you’ll need to get started soon. We’re here to help!

Ocean View Grange Words for Thirds!

By Larry Bailey, Master

It gives me a great amount of pleasure to tell you that Terry Bomba and I had a very enjoyable and rewarding trip to third-grade classrooms at St George School to present dictionaries to the students. Both rooms combined, and thus, we had 24 students to present the books to.  This presentation of dictionaries is our annual Words for Thirds program. As in the past, the students seemed anxious to find out what we had to offer and really appeared to be very happy to get the books. After briefly explaining what the Grange is and what we do for our community, they asked some good questions.

One of the young girls said, “My grandmother works at the Grange.” I asked who is her grandmother and she said “Brenda Armstrong.” Brenda, while not a Grange member, has been voluntarily tending the trimming of the grass and weeds around the Grange and the beautiful flowers in the front of the Grange Hall for years. She is a gem.

I want to thank the two third-grade teachers, Lauren Wilgus and Sierra Beal, for arranging the gathering along with Mr. Felton, the School Superintendent. We hope to be there every year in the future.

Larry and Terry also received this note and permission to share it from Superintendent Felton:

I want to thank both of you for visiting the school and providing the 3rd graders with dictionaries.  You all did a great job sharing the Grange’s mission and work – the kids were engaged and curious throughout your visit.  And they were certainly excited about the dictionaries!  

Thank you for offering this program and all you do to support our students.  As a school district, our mission is to do whatever it takes to ensure that every single student thrives and to contribute to the vitality and resiliency of our town.  The only way we can realize this mission is with the support of our community, of organizations like the Grange.

With sincere thanks,
Mike, Superintendent, MSAD 50

For more information about the Words for Thirds Program and how your Grange, community, students, and teachers can reap these benefits, visit the Words for Thirds Resource Page.

Valley Grange Dictionary Days

Valley Grange is proud to have handed out close to 250 dictionaries to third-graders this year. That puts us well over 4,000 since starting the program several decades ago. Enjoy some photos of this year’s program.

Dictionary Days are fun because learning is fun!

If your Grange is interested in starting a Words for Thirds Dictionary Program, complete the form below. No obligation!

Name of person submitting
Email address of person submitting
What position, if any, you currently hold.

Brownville Students Gain Words!

Valley Grange is located in Guilford, Maine

BROWNVILLE — Grade 3 students at the Brownville Elementary School now have thousands of words and accompanying definitions at their fingertips, along with other assorted facts. The pupils do not need to worry about charged laptops or cellphones to access this information, as each of the nearly 50 youngsters now has their very own dictionary thanks to Valley Grange No. 144 of Guilford...

Check out this amazing article in the Piscataquis Observer about the words for Thirds Dictionary Day in Brownville Elementary School!

Last Call!

By Walter Boomsma

Well, at least for now! We still have some confirming to do, but it looks like at least ten Granges in Maine are participating in the Words for Thirds Program.

  • Chelsea Grange #215
  • East Madison Grange #228
  • Evening Star Grange #183
  • Farmington Grange #12
  • Hollis Grange #132
  • Maple Grave Grange #148
  • Mill Stream Grange #574
  • Old Town Riverside Grange #273 (unconfirmed)
  • Valley Grange #144
  • Waterford Grange #479

Thanks to the folks who have answered the call and provided information. If you still haven’t, just complete this simple form!

    Our resource page is shaping up nicely and should be ready to release in a week or so. It includes a customized logo for participating Granges, many sample documents such as a letter for parents, press releases, media advisories, and a sample presentation outline.

    We owe a special thanks to Mary French, Director of the Dictionary Project, for her enthusiasm and support of this effort!

    Valley Grange and Local Schools Celebrate Dictionary Day

    Guilford–A team of Valley Granger members led by Walter Boomsma is delivering nearly 250 dictionaries to local area schools during the next several weeks. “We have a lot to celebrate,” he noted, “third graders in the area are celebrating tools, words, and the importance of learning and getting their own dictionary to keep.”

    The Grange began its “Words for Thirds” Program in 2004 by giving a dictionary to every third-grader at the then-Guilford Primary School. Over the years, the program has expanded to include Piscataquis Community, SeDoMoCha, Brownville, Harmony, and Ridgeview Elementary Schools. Boomsma estimates the Grange has distributed nearly 4,000 dictionaries since. “But it’s really not about the numbers. One kid, one dictionary. The stories are many, but each one is personal. A dictionary can make a big difference in a child’s life.”

    Grangers visit schools to make the gift personal and emphasize the importance of people helping each other. Jim Annis, president of the local Grange, rarely misses a presentation. “I love how excited the kids get. These dictionaries are truly empowering, and the program has become a rite of passage. We’re glad we can continue the tradition.”

    Boomsma noted that these sorts of connections and cooperation within the community are exactly what the Grange hopes to facilitate. “We’re all about building strong kids and communities,” he said. “We’re also looking for people who share that passion, whether it’s working with the schools and children or seniors or other community organizations.” He cites the Grange’s Blistered Finger Knitters as an example. “As a result of their efforts, we distribute some knitted hats and mittens along with the dictionaries. These are usually given to the school nurse for kids needing little help staying warm.”

    “The kids get excited about the books, but I think for most, it’s about more than just getting a dictionary. It’s also about seeing that organizations and individuals in the community care for each of them and want them to succeed.”

    The Dictionary Project is based in North Carolina, making low-cost dictionaries available to organizations like the Grange to aid third-grade teachers in their goal to see all their students leave at the end of the year as good writers, active readers, and creative thinkers. Extra dictionaries are always available for new or home-schooled students or students transferring in during the school year. Parents of home-schooled third-graders are urged to call their local school for additional information. For information about the Grange and its many opportunities, call Walter Boomsma at 343-1842 or Mary Annis at 564-0820 or visit the Valley Grange Website (http://valleygrange.com) or Facebook Page.

    Mill Stream Grange Gives Words

    On February 1st, Mill Stream Grange members Lisa Goucher and Jill Sampson presented dictionaries to the two 3rd-grade classes at the Cape Cod Hill Elementary School. It was a lively group with much discussion about the different information included in the dictionaries. Sign language and the longest word were favorites with the students. 

    Did you know the longest word in the dictionary has over 1900 letters in it!?

    On January 31, Lisa Goucher (back row middle) and Jill Sampson (back on right) of Mill Stream Grange presented dictionaries to Mrs. Watkins’s third-grade class at the Mt. Vernon Elementary School. After discussing the page on sign language, the students stood to sign their own names to the class. All the students were very enthusiastic about the different information available in the dictionary. 

    “Words for Thirds” is a signature program for the Grange. It provides third graders with their own student dictionary. To learn more, watch this short video!

    Valley Grange Gets Mail!

    Valley Grange is located in Guilford Maine

    We recently received thank-you notes from our third-graders in Brownville. Most include hand-drawn pictures–unfortunately, with the colored construction paper, they don’t scan well, but here are a few summarized.

    “Thank you for everything. I had a lot of fun. You make me laf!”

    “Thank you for the Dictionary. My favorite part was the word game.”

    “Thank you for everything. You are so nuns. We love you!” [I think “nuns” was supposed to be “fun.”]

    “Mr. Boomsma Thank you. I love love when we try to find the word even though I didn’t win I still tried.”

    “My favorite part was the sticks.” [We talk about the staves or staffs–farmers’ tools.]

    “Thank you for everything you [?] for keeping our cugrey [community?] safe.“

    “Thank you for the dictionary. Now I know lots about the periodic table of the elements. You are the best.” [No, I did not make this one up. It’s in the dictionary!]

    “Dear Mr. Boomsma, You are a kind man. Thank you for letting us play the dictionary game of finding the words in the dictionary. Good job. You’re working hard.”

    “Thank you for the dictionary and showing us the farmers’ tools.”

    “Ok the longest word is hard. I can’t read the word.” [According to the dictionary, the longest word has 1909 letters in it!]

    “Thank you for showing us the dictionary and farmer tools. The dictionary was amazing! The tools were great! I hope you come back to our school!”

    I think one class had a little help with this one:

    If you come to our Musical Celebration of Rural Life on Friday, November 17, 2023, you’ll get a chance to read some of these for yourself!

    Millstream Grange Makes It Happen

    • Mill Stream Grange members Jill Sampson (l) and Lisa Goucher .
    • Vernon Elementary School kids practice their sign language
    • Cape Cod School kids get into their new dictionaries
    • Front (l-r) Debbie Lavender (Treas.), Karla Arceneaux (Lect.), Laurie Cunningham (Chap.), David Varney (Stew.), Judy Dunn (Master), Ellie Andrews (pianist), Jill Sampson (Sec.), Ingrid Grenon (Gate.), Kristin Thompson (Ex. Com.) Back row (l-r) Paul Lavender (Ass’t. Stew.), Louise Kilponen (Flora), Barbara Gilman (L.A.S.), Allan Harville (Overseer), Marie Gajarski (Pom.), Lisa Goucher (Ceres), Richard Thompson (Ex. Comm.) Missing from photo: Rosemary Baker, Joe Lopez, Linda Stanton

    Mill Stream Grange members Jill Sampson and Lisa Goucher presented dictionaries to the third graders at the Mt. Vernon Elementary School in January, and the Cape Cod Hill Elementary School in February.  This was the first year since 2019 that an in-house presentation was allowed at the schools. It was a fun time at both schools, with very excited students and teachers. The students especially liked learning how to spell their names using the sign language pictures in the dictionary.